Women of Modern France (Illustrated) Woman: In all ages and in all countries Vol. 7 (of 10)

"Woman of Modern France" by Hugo P. Thieme is a historical exploration of French women between the 16th and 18th centuries, portraying their varying impacts as queens, mistresses, and educated figures who left indelible marks on the realms of art and politics. The narrative opens by setting up the author's argument about the natural social abilities of French women and how these abilities shaped different periods. Thieme divides these women into groups based on their positions in society and then starts the discussion off with people like Anne of Brittany and Louise of Savoy, showing how these women used morality and cleverness to move through and have an effect on a political world run by men. This opening gives a base for understanding the difficult social mix of French women's input to their society, leading into a greater examination in the coming chapters.